tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27584252.post7440122986052907797..comments2024-03-22T18:15:47.666+11:00Comments on Boy on a bike: Abbott in AfghanistanUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27584252.post-54634909853926221212010-10-12T08:49:14.362+11:002010-10-12T08:49:14.362+11:00Yes, I'd dump the media. Defence will always s...Yes, I'd dump the media. Defence will always send along someone to take photos, so if they want to publish anything from the trip, they can use the defence photos.<br /><br />It's been a long time since I have read any sensible commentary from anyone in the media about the military, so what's the point in sending some drongo over there to misreport what's going on.Boy on a bikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452119541546978454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27584252.post-76911765541349998722010-10-12T07:40:17.423+11:002010-10-12T07:40:17.423+11:00If the pollies were fair dinkum they'd travel ...If the pollies were fair dinkum they'd travel without media. These visits are photo ops and a waste of time and resouces.1735099https://www.blogger.com/profile/17945140949290600423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27584252.post-48037950481072975202010-10-11T08:35:07.239+11:002010-10-11T08:35:07.239+11:00I've seen no active service but in my 1950s &q...I've seen no active service but in my 1950s "peace" time service I learnt very early that the media would seriously distort whatever we said to them. A ban on our talking to reporters was entirely acceptable to me.<br />As an armchair observer since those days, I have been increasingly alarmed at how much of active service is being given live coverage on the media.<br />These days, anything said to a politician or a rock star will also be available to the media for them to spin with their finely-honed tools.<br />I have no idea how the military of today copes with such embedded threats to security.Skeeterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15372213190811407871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27584252.post-66765329043056394122010-10-11T06:27:50.354+11:002010-10-11T06:27:50.354+11:00Pedro, that's the way it should be. I think th...Pedro, that's the way it should be. I think the problem back then was everyone was petrified our regiment was going to be closed down, so no one wanted to rock the boat.<br /><br />As it happened, a relative of mine was in parliament with Beasley, and they often sat together on the flights to and from Canberra. I briefed him, and he gave it to Beasley chapter and verse a few weeks later. <br /><br />No digger will ever be happy with his or her kit - I know that for a fact. You always need to have something to bitch and moan about.Boy on a bikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14452119541546978454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27584252.post-51867727647680242352010-10-10T23:40:01.067+11:002010-10-10T23:40:01.067+11:00Can't agree BOAB.
It is a God given right for...Can't agree BOAB.<br /><br />It is a God given right for Diggers to bitch to visiting generals, politicians, rock stars or whatever, and no amount of glaring from CO's, RSMs or anyone else prevents them from speaking out, regardless of embarrassment to unit, commanders or the system.<br />One of the great features of our military. The right to speak out does not extend to the press or outsiders, however.<br />I have seen Diggers in the field whinge to US General Westmoreland, PM John Gorton, Malcolm Fraser (Minister for the Army and later as PM) PM Billy McMahon, PM Bill Haydon, assorted Chief of Army, Chiefs of Defence Forces, Heads of Corps, and the list goes on, stood by and occasionally squirmed with embarrassment (after I had climbed the promotion ladder), but would never punish a soldier for speaking their mind.<br />Sometimes the whinging works, and it would be a fool of a commander or politician who dismissed a legitimate complaint out of hand.<br /><br />When I find a Digger who is totally happy with his issue weapons and equipment I will know I have either achieved Nirvana or gurgled down too much vintage port, and reality will return tomorrow.<br /><br />One of the greatest attributes of Australia's military is to get the job done with whatever is at hand.Pedro the Ignorantnoreply@blogger.com